He may have established himself as one of the top trad musicians in America and Europe, but for Laurence Nugent it’s all comes back to family and Fermanagh.

Born in April 1970, Laurence was always destined for a career in Irish traditional music. His father, Sean, was a respected music tutor, teaching many young local people.

Five decades later, Laurence recalls how céilí music sessions in his home on the Ederney border and witnessing the talents of the MacConnell brothers from Bellanaleck, including the late Mickey who sadly passed away last year, inspired his music career.

“It was an every night occurrence. If people weren’t coming in for lessons, the ‘The Pride of Erin Ceili Band’ were practicing and there was always a few tunes going,” Laurence told the ‘Herald.

“I can remember Cathal and Mickey MacConnell sitting at the fire and playing music. At that time, everybody was playing something and I started with the tin whistle and progressed after that.”

Alongside his studies, Laurence led music classes in Irvinestown and Tempo. But growing up in Fermanagh in the 1980s, employment was hard to come by and he decided to head across the Atlantic.

“I was 19. I had cousins there and now I find myself there after 35 years,” the 55-year-old said.

Laurence bounced from job to job in his first few weeks in the States, before he decided to pursue a full-time career in Irish traditional music. It’s a career that has spanned for four decades.

“America is such a different place to Fermanagh. I come from a little village of Lack and I went to Greenwich Village. I thought it was another village, but it was a wee bit bigger,” Laurence said.

“You’re exposed to all sorts and as time went on, I was meeting musicians from all over America and different background. I dabbled into jazz, backed up some singers and other genres.”